The Sindh Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution against the Pakistan Islands Development Authority.

The resolution demanded the federal government to withdraw the ordinance which is aiming at taking control of two islands of Sindh.

MQM and PTI lawmakers protested against the resolution while GDA and one of the PTI MPA Sheharyar Shar supported the resolution.

According to the resolution, the federal government’s move is a violation of Article 97, 172 and 239 of the constitution. According to the constitution, the islands belong to Sindh, not federal government, said the resolution.

Bilawal lauds Sindh Assembly

Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari lauded the Sindh Assembly for passing a resolution against the island ordinance. He said that Sindh raised voice against the ordinance beyond caste, race, language and religion. He said that he had warned the federal government to withdraw the ordinance before October 21. He said that federal government wanted to capture the islands of Sindh and Balochistan through the ordinance.

Murtaza Wahab stance 

Earlier, Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab said they would nullify the move through the provincial assembly.

“The people of Sindh will know today which political parties are standing by the soil, people and islands of Sindh,” he remarked.

“The ordinance is against the people of Sindh. It violates the rights of fishermen,” the spokesperson noted, adding that the federal government was trying to occupy the islands. Murtaza said, “The PPP is standing by the Constitution and Pakistan. It is also a test for the representatives of Muttahida [MQM-P]. Let’s see they stand by the people or [Imran] Khan.”

Both the PTI and the MQM-P were part of the same federal government which issued the illegal ordinance, he remarked and vowed to take all possible steps to the people’s rights constitutionally.

About the arrest of PML-N leader Capt Safdar and the resultant unrest in Sindh Police, Murtaza noted that the statements issued by the PTI leaders during the 24 hours proved that attempt had been made to use police politically.

They threatened the IG and the chief secretary, he noted, adding that they were also hurling threats at the police officer who said that he followed the law. The Ordinance, promulgated by the Centre, has met with increasing criticism from several corners since it first came into public knowledge.  

“Lawmakers of the GDA, who perceived the Ordinance as an encroachment on the rights of Sindh’s people, calling for its withdrawals implied cracks in the PTI’s coalition government in the Centre. But the federal government is adamant to continue with what it calls a development project and has awarded tenders as well,” he added.